Mechanism for assembling cans and covers



June 8 1954 w. PECHY 2,680,550

MEcHANIsM FOR ASSEMBLING cANs AND covERs Filed April 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet l W il) uw" Il.

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/I//LL/AM Pff/70 June 8, 1954 MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING CANS AND COVERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 5, 1951 W. PECHY June 8, 1954 w, PECHY 2,680,550

MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING CANS AND COVERS Filed April 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l INVENToR.

n//a/M/ Pfff/y June 8, 1954 w. PEcl-IY MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING CANS AND COVERS Filed April 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENToR. WM MM Pfff/Y BY M ,5f WL .,M a M A 7'TOP/VEY5 June 8, 1954 w PECHY 2,680,550

MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING CANS AND COVERS Filed April 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

, I n//u/AM Pfc/W TTOZ/YE Y Patented June 8, 1954 COVERS MECHANISM FOR ASSEMBLING CANS AND William Pechy, Belmar, N. J., assigner to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New Jersey Application April 5, 1951, Serial No. 219,404

Claims.

The present invention relates to a mechanism for assembling can covers having spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having cooperating spaced locking sections thereon, and has particular reference to a mechanism for .holding a can and its cover and for effecting relative rotative movement therebetween in two oppositely disposed directions for first properly locating the cover on the can and for removably locking the cover in place. This is a companion application to co-pending United States application Serial Number 219,425, filed April 5, 1951, by Stanley J. Brosky on Method of Assembling Cans and Covers.

This invention contemplates the assembly of cans and covers of the character disclosed in United States Patent 2,488,526 issued November 22, 1949, to R. J. Crawford on Container. Such a container includes a cover formed with a countersunk panel having peripheral locking lugs which in one position of the cover iits into a locking ring on the can and which in another position of the cover interlocks its locking lugs with novel tapered locking section-s on the locking ring to secure the cover to the can.

For best results the cover should be interlocked with the can with such accuracy as to insure proper tightness to prevent displacement of the cover during shipment and storage and at the same time to insure that the locking elements are not so strained as to render these elements ineiective when the cover is reused as a reclosure by the customer.

An object, therefore, of the invention is the provision of such a can and cover assembling mechanism wherein relative rotative movement in two oppositely disposed directions may be effected between a can and its cover to first locate the locking lugs on the cover in a predetermined location relative to the locking sections onv the can and to then advance the locking lugs on the cover into limited locking engagement with the locking sections on the can to not only secure the cover to the can but also to preserve its locking eiectiveness for repeated use.

Another object is the provision of such a can and cover assembling mechanism wherein the relative rotative movement between the cover and can one direction is a variable amount to effect the locating of the cover locking lugs with respect to the can locking sections at a predetermined position or starting point regardless of the relative initial positions of lugs and the `sections when the cover is rst applied to the can.

Another object is the provision of such a can and cover assembling mechanism wherein the relative rotative movement between the cover and the can in the opposite direction is a predetermined xed amount to eiiect interlocking of the cover locking lugs with the can locking sections at a predetermined point on the locking sections to insure proper tightness between can and cover while reserving the major portions of the locking sections for the use of the customer when the can is opened and the cover subsequently used as a reelosure.

Another object is the provision of such a can and cover assembling mechanism wherein the can and the cover are separately held in position for proper assembly by chuck devices of a novel nature which provide for rapid and eicient operation.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a mechanism embodying the instant invention, with parts broken away;

Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged sectional views of a cover holding head shown at the left in Fig. l, the two views showing different positions of parts of the head as an incident to gripping a cover to be assembled with a can, parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a can holding chuck shown at the right in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are enlarged sectional detail views taken substantially along the 'lines 5 5, 5 6, '5 7, in Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is an end View of the mechanism as viewed from the left in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 9 is a view taken substantially along the line 9 5 in Fig, 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a can and a cover to be assembled in the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. l1 is a top plan View of the can;

Fig. l2 is an enlarged sectional detail of the cover as taken substantially along a plane indicated by the lines i2 i 2 in Fig. 10; and

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are enlarged sectional views of the upper portion oi the can taken substantially along the line iii-I3 in Fig. 11, the three views showing schematically the relative positions oi locking lugs on the cover during various stages of assembling a cover with a can.

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate a mechanism for assembling can covers A (Fig. l0) with cans or can bodies B oi the type disclosed in the Crawford 1latent 2,488,526 hereinbefore mentioned. The body B may be made of nbre, metal or other suitable material While the cover A preierably is made of metal. Such a can is of the type which preferably carries at its top end, a temporary sealing disc C made of cellophane, paper metal foil or other suitable irangible material which is adapted to be cut out to gain access to the interior` or" the can. In such a can, the lling ci the product into the can preferably is elected through its bottom. Thereorethe bottom is left open and the .cover is assembled while the can is in this open end condition.

The cover A is or" the type which is formed with a centrally located depressed or countersunl: panel D (Fig. l0)having a Vertical annularwall E provided with a plurality oi peripherally spaced outwardly projecting imperforate locking lugs F adapted to seat Within the open mouth of the can B. The cover A preferably surrounded by a knurled depending skirt or iange G which extends down outside of the can when the cover is in place, for applying the cover as a reclosure to the can. The annular wall E and skirt G are connected by a horizontal annulairing or top wall Y.

In order to receive the cover A, the top of the can body B preferably is pro-vided with an annular ring H which seats over the temporary sealing disc C and is crimped, seamed or otherwise permanently secured to the body B or may be an integral part of the body. The ring H also holds the disc C in place on the body. The inner opening in the ring constitutes the mouth of the can. Around this mouth, the inner peripheral edge of the ring is formed with a plurality of peripherally spaced and inwardly projecting locking sections J.

Each locking section J comprises a declining tapered wall K, eccentric relative to the can body axis, which wall begins at its upper or entrance end with a bead, projection, or hurdle element L which depends into the can, said wall terminating at its lower end in a similarly depending bead, projection, or stop element M. Between these locking sections J, the ring periphery is concentric relative to the body axis and the diametrical dimensions or these concentric sections of the ring are just suicient to permit the locking lugs F on the cover to enter at any point along these concentric sections when the cover is properly applied to the ring.

ln assembling the cover A with the can B by automatic machinery there is no control over the initial alignment of the cover lugs F with the concentric spacer between the eccentric locking sections J on the can since the vcovers and the cans are received Without regard to this alignment. Therefore to effect this assembly the alignment above mentioned must first be brought about. A second requirement is that in securing the cover in place on the can, the cover lugs F should be merely snapped or forced over the hurdle elements L. This interlocking of the cover lugs with the hurdle elements is suicient to hold the cover securely in place during storage or transportation and thus fullls a third requirement of preserving a portion of the tapered wall K of the eccentric locking sections J unstrained or undamaged for use by the customer when using the cover as a reclosure after opening the can, which may then be done repeatedly.

The mechanism of the instant invention fulfills all the enumerated conditions and effects 'locking operation. This movement is variable since there is no control over the initial relative oriental positions of the cover locking lugs and thelcan body stop elements M. When the cover is in this relative position on the can, a predetermined relative rotative movement in the opposite direction is eiected between the cover and the can and this movement is just suflcient to interlock the cover lugs F with the inclined or tapered wall K just inside of the hurdle elements .L as mentioned above. In this manner the cover is properly secured to the can.

The mechanism for effecting this assemblyo cover and can may be of a rotary type comprising a plurality of assembling,r heads revolving around an axis, or may be of a vertical or hori- Zontal single station type as desired. The drawings illustrate a single station horizontal machine for simplicity and brevity in description. Such a machine comprises principally a horizontally disposed nonrotatable can holding chuck 2| (Figs. l and 4) and a similarly disposed rotatable cover holding head or spindle 22 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) arranged in endwise or axial alignment with the chuck 2|.

The nonrotatable can holding chuck 2 includes a chuck head 23 (Figs. l and e) having a ange 24 formed with a hollow cylindrical hub which is longitudinally split to provide a plurality of expansible jaws 25 having inner tapered faces 2l. The flange 24 of the chuck head 23 is secured to a flange 2S of a holding sleeve or chuck shank 29. The holding sleeve 29 is keyed to and is surrounded by an actua-ting sleeve 3| slidably mounted in a bearing 32 of a frame member 33 which is a part of the main frame of the mechanism.

The holding sleeve 29 is maintained under yieldable axial pressure relative to the actuating sleeve 3| by virtue of a compression spring 34 disposed within the actuating sleeve 3| and interposed between an end member 35 threaded into the outer end of the actuating sleeve and a nut 36 threaded on the adjacent end of the holding sleeve 29. The spring 34 presses the nut 3E against an internal shoulder 31 formed in the 'I actuating sleeve 3| and thereby holds the holding sleeve and the actuating sleeve together yieldably and axially as a unitary structure. This unitary structure is reciprocable axially of the bearing 32 for inserting the chuck jaws 26 into the open end of a can B' and for expanding the jaws to hold the can stationary for the cover applying operation.

Reciprooable movement of the structure is effected preferably by a cam roller 4| which is mounted on a boss 552 formed on and projecting from the actuating sleeve 3|. The boss l2 extends through a guide slot 43 in the bearing 32 and thus prevents rotation of the actuating sleeve 3| and its component parts. The cam roller fl operates in a cam groove Lid of a barrel cam 45 mounted on and .rotated by a cam shaft 46 (Fig. l) journaled in bearings el formed in the frame member 33, a similar frame member 48 and other such frame members (not shown) of the main frame.

The cam shaft 45 may be driven in any suitable manner.

Expanding of the chuck jaws 26 is effected preferably by a wedge 5I having a tapered outer face for engagement with the inner tapered faces 2l of the chuck jaws 25. The wedge 5I 1s located within the chuck hub and is formed on a stem 52 disposed for axial sliding movement in and relative to the holding sleeve 29. The wedge stem 52 extends beyond the holding sleeve, back through the actuating sleeve 3l and projects through the end member 35 on the actuating sleeve. The outer end of the stem carries a stop nut 53. This nut normally is held tight against the end member 35 by a compression spring 5d located within the holding and actuating sleeves and interposed between the end member 35 and a collar 55 formed on the stem. The spring 54 is of greater strength than the spring 3d for eiecting the wedging action as will be hereinafter explained. The collar 55 on the stem is also disposed in slightly spaced relation to an adjacent internal shoulder 5t in the holding sleeve 29 to prevent excessive axial movement of the wedge 5| in the direction of the chuck jaws 2S to protect the jaws against over-expansion when there is no can in place to receive the chuck. y

A can B to be gripped by the chuck head 23 may be received from any suitable source of supply and is supported in axial alignment with the chuck head by a pair of spaced half mould supports 58, 59 (see Fig. l). The support 5B preferably is secured to the frame member 33 and the support 59 is fastened to the frame member d8 although any other form of holder for the can f may be utilized if desired.

With the can B in place in its mould supports 53, 58 with the open end of the can adjacent the chuck head 23, the cam l5 slides the actuating sleeve 3| and its co-operating holding sleeve 29 toward the left as viewed in Fig. l and thus inserts the chuck jaws 2t into the open end of the can as shown in Fig. l. Near the end of this stroke, when the jaws are fully within the can, the iiange 2li on the chuck head 23 engages a stop ring (il (as shown in Fig. 1) formed on the can support 58. This stop ring 6l stops iurther movement of the chuck head and thus locates the jaws in the can.

However the actuating sleeve 3l continues to move toward the can, sliding on the holding sleeve 2li. The compression spring 34 yields during this movement and thus permits the actuating sleeve to slide on the holding sleeve. This additional travel oi the actuating sleeve 3l advances the wedge 5i into engagement with the tapered faces 2l of the chuck jaws 26 and when the wedge is temporarily stopped by this engagement, moves the end member 35 in advance of the stem stop nut 53 thus creating a space between the end member and the nut as shown in Fig. l. This action slightly compresses the wedge spring 54 and thus the spring exerts sufficient force on the chuck jaws 2e to expand them into tight holding engagement with the interior surface of the can to hold the can fast against rotation.

While the can is thus held stationary the cover A is applied to the can as hereinbefore mentioned. The cover A preferably is held in spaced and axial alignment with the end of the can t0 which it is to be applied and is supported in a pocket 6-5 formed in the can support 59. A guide plate @d which preferably is movable is disposed between the cover and the can to temporarily hold the cover in its pocket and to act as a back-up plate during the gripping of the cover as will now be explained.

The supported cover A is in axial alignment with the cover spindle or head 22. This spindle is disposed fol1 rotary and axial sliding movement in a bearing t3 formed on the frame member 48. .Axial movement of the spindle 22 toward and away from the cover A is effected by cam action. For this purpose the spindle 22 near its outer end is formed with a quadrant shaped clearance recess 69 (see Fig. 5) for a depending arm ll pivotally mounted on a bolt l2 (Fig. l) threaded into the spindle on its axis line. The bolt 'l2 also secures a spur gear 'i3 (Fig. 8) to the outer end of the spindle and the gear holds the arm l'i in its recess 69. The arm 'll extends down through a slot in the bearing 68 and thus is confined against rotation. The lower end of the arm carries a cam roller l5 which operates in a spindle reciprocating cam groove 'I6 formed. in the peripheral face oi a barrel cam 'il xedly mounted on and rotating with the cam shaft 46.

Rotation of the spindle 22 is effected in two directions through two partial rotations or oscillations by a segmental gear or rack member 8l (Figs. l and 8) formed on a lever 32 mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 83 secured in a lug 84 depending from the outer end of the bearing 68. The lower end of the lever 82 carries a cam roller 85 which operates in a spindle oscillating cam groove 36 formed in the outer end face of the barrel cam il. The co-operative action of the cam grooves 'lli and at will be hereinafter more fully explained in connection with the operation of the spindle.

At its inner or forward end, adjacent the cover pocket t5, the spindle 22 is formed with a large bore Si (Figs. l, 2 and 3) which houses a slip clutch sleeve member 92 having a clutch ange 51.3 interposed between fibre clutch discs 94 contacting both sides of the flange. A compression spring 95 located within the bore 9i and interposed between a shoulder S6 of the spindle and a washer ill adjacent the nearest clutch disc, presses the discs and the ange in a slip grip against an end plate S8 secured to the inner end of the spindle. The peripheral edge of the clutch flange e3 is provided with ratchet teeth 99 (see Fig. 7) which are engageable with a plurality of ratchet pawls ll carried on pivot pins m2 secured in the spindle 22 and its end plate 98 (see Fig. l). Leaf springs i533 secured to the spindle keep the pawls in engagement with the ratchet teeth. The teeth and the pawls are arranged to permit free rotation of the spindle 22 relative to the slip clutch sleeve 92 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7 and to lock the spindle and the clutch sleeve together for unitary rotation in a clockwise direction. The pawls lill also are unequally spaced slightly, or in variably spaced driving relation to the peripheral spacing of the teeth 99, to permit immediate engagement of at least one of the pawls with a tooth upon rotation of the spindle 22 in the clockwise direction.

The slip clutch sleeve S2 inovably carries a cover chuck member or .sleeve lllii which latter is located within the clutch sleeve for rotation therewith and for reciprocating movement relative thereto. The sleeves e2, m5 are tied -together by a pin lill which is threaded into the clutch ilange 9.3 and which extends into a slot 488 in the chuck sleeve. The outer end ofthe chuck sleeve HIS is closed. A compression spring l |89 located within the chuck sleeve 196 and interposed between its closed end and an end inember il i on the end of the clutch sleeve G2, yieldably forces the chuck sleeve iili toward the cover pocket 55 and thus holds the chuck sleeve l against the pin lill'.

Adjacent the cover pocket S5, the chuck sleeve Ii is formed with a tubular cylindrical extenion which is longitudinally split to form a plurality of expansible chuck jaws H3 having inner tapered faces iii. These chuck jaws H3 are adapted to fit within the counter-sunk panel D of the cover A for holding the cover during application to a can B. Hence the outside diameter of the jaws when in closed position is slightly less than the inside diameter of the cover panel.

Expansion of the chuck jaws H3 is eiected preferably by a wedge itt (Figs. i, 2 and 3) located within the jaws and having a tapered outer face for co-operation with the tapered faces lid on the jaws. The wedge is formed on a stern l il which extends back through the chuck sleeve |05 and the end member Hl on the clutch sleeve 92. At its terminal end the stem carries a nut IIS which is slidable in a bore in the clutch sleeve end member lil. The nut ilil is formed with a shoulder HS. A. compression spring lili interposed between the nut H8 and the closed end of the chuck sleeve 65 normally Keeps the shoulder HS of the nut in engagement with a cylindrical stop slide 22 carried in an axially disposed bore E23 in the spindle 22 for the purpose of providing a slight space between the tapered faces of the wedge H6 and the chuck jaws H3 and to thus maintain the jaws in an unexpanded o retracted relation.

The slide 422 is controlled by cein action and for this purpose is provided with a depending arm |26 (see also Fig. 6) which extends down through a quadrant shaped clearance recess i2? in the spindle 22 and projects through a coniining or guiding slot i2?. in the spindle bearing t8. The lower end of the arm carries a cani roller {.li which operates in a chuck actuating Cain groove 32 formed in the peripheral face of the barrel cam l? adjacent the spindle reciprocating oain groove '6 for co-operation between the two cani rollers 15, t3! (see also Fig. l)

In operation, the spindle actuating or reciprocating cam roller 'iii and the cover chucl; (itil) actuating or reciprocating cani roller i3 i, through the action of their respective cam grooves l5, S32, move in unison from the position shown in Fig. l toward he right as viewed that figure and thus slides the spindle 22 with the chuck sleeve l carried therein toward the cover pocket 55 and the cover A suppoi ued in the pocket. This lateral movement of the spindle and the Chuck. sleeve continues until the chuck jaws H3 enter the countersunk panel D of the cover A and seat against the bottom of the panel, thereby pressing the cover against the back-up plate 6% as best shown in Fig. 2. This action insures full seating of the chuck jaws in the panel. the spring 29S yielding and becoming sligh-tli,7 compressed to effect this full seating action.

While the chuck jaws i i3 are held in this fully seated position within the cover panel D, the slide E22 through its cam roller E3! and cam groove 232, is moved toward the left as viewed in Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. 3. This movement of the slide withdraws it from the shoulder lig on the wedge stem nut SiS thereby freeing the restraining action on the wedge HE. The wedge spring i2! tends to expand and thus draws the wedge H6 away from the cover A. This action of the wedge H5 expands the chuck jaws H3 against the edge walls E of the cover panel D and thus grips the cover tightly for the application or" the cover to the can which follows.

With the cover A tightly gripped by the chuck jaws l i3, the spindle 22 moves slightly toward the left as viewed in Fig. 3 to free the cover from tightly pressed engagement with the guide or back-up plate Sfo. The back-up plate is thereupon moved out of the way as shown in Fig. 9. For this purpose the back-up plate 56 is formed on arm which extends down past the cam shaft it and at its lower end is mounted on a pivot pin ISE. Adjacent the cani shaft 46 the arm i313 carries a cam roller 36 which operates in a cani groove 13'! of a face cam |33 mounted on and rotated by the cani shaft i6 (see Fig. l).

With the back-up plate te out of the way, the spindle 22 and its chuck sleeve l il, through their cam rollers TE, il and cam grooves l, |32 move in unison from the position shown in Fig. 3 toward the right until the cover A engages against the adjacent end of the can B. The cover is pressed tightly against the can through a slight yielding of the chuck actuating spring iii@ so that if the cover locking lugs F do not immediately fall into the mouth ofthe can by alignment with the concentric spaces between the eccentric can locking sections J, such as the position shown in Fig. 13, they will do so when the cover is rotated.

While the cover A is thus temporarily held clamped against the can, the face cam groove SE rocks the segment gear lever 82 toward the right as viewed in Fig. 8 to rotate the spindle 22, the chuck sleeve it and the cover A, in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in that figure. The arc of rotation of the spindle in this direction is slightly greater than the arcual distance between the stop elements M (Fig. 13) on the can B to insure that a cover locking lug F if initially engaging the can near one of the stop elements M as shown in Fig. i3 will be rotated back far enough to drop into the mouth of the can past the concentric sections of the can body ring l-l and stop in Contact with the preceding stop element M within the can as shown in Fig. le.

During this back travel or reverse twisting of the cover the slip clutch flange 93 rotates with the spindle 22 in a counterclochwise direction as viewed in Fig. '7, since the spindle 22 is the driving member'. When the cover locking lugs F engage against the stop elements M within the mouth of the can, the clutch flange of the chuck sleeve EBS and the cover A held by the chuck jaws H3, stop rotating. This also stops the slip clutch ila-nge S3. However the spindle continues to rotate, through the slipping action of the clutch disc Sd, until the segment gear lever 32 completes its movement in this direction. During this slipping action the ratchet pawls i0! snap over the ratchet teeth Q9 on the clutch iange 93. Hence the arc of rotation of the cover is a variable factor which depends upon the initial relation of the cover locking lugs F and the stop elements M on the can when the cover and the can come together.

At the completion of this counterclockwiee rotation of the spindle 22 and the cover A, the direction of rotation is reversed by the rocking of the segment gear lever 82 toward the left as viewed in Fig. 8 and the spindle 22 and the cover A are thus rotated relative to the can in a clockwise direction. This is brought about by the immediate engagement of one of the variably peripherally spaced spindle pawls Ii with the teeth of the clutch flange 93 to rotate the spindle 22 and the chuck sleeve it in unison. The arcual distance of this rotation is a precise or constant amount equal to the arcual distance between a stop element M of the can and the region just inside the first presented hurdle element L in the direction of rotation of the cover. Thus during this clockwise rotation of the spindle, the cover A using the stop elements M of the can as a starting point (Fig. 14), is rotated just sufficiently to snap the cover locking lugs F past the hurdle elements L on the can (Fig. l) and thus interlock these lugs and elements to secure the cover on the can while reserving a portion of the tapered and eccentric walls K of the locking sections for subsequent use by the customer when the cover is utilized as a reclosure.

With the cover A thus secured in place on the can, the cam roller i3! moves toward the can thus advancing the slide l22 into engagement with the shoulder il@ on the wedge nut H8 and this moves the wedge i it toward the can and releases the chuck jaws H3 from the cover. The spindle 22 and the chuck sleeve 506 thereafter return as a unit, toward the left as viewed in Fig. 3, to their original positions in readiness for a subsequent cover and can assembling operation. During this return movement of the spindle 22, the segment gear lever 82 continues its rocking action toward the left as viewed in Fig. 8 to return the spindle to its original rotative position.

While the spindle 22 is thus being returned to its origin-al position, the can holding chuck 2l returns to its original position as shown in Fig. 4 to release the assembled can and cover for removal in any suitable manner from the mechanism.

It is thought that the invention and many or its attendant advantages will ybe understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacricing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbeiore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

i 1. In a mechanism for assembling can covers having spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having spaced cooperating locking sections thereon, the combination of a chuck having expansible jaws thereon for entrance into a can for holding the can in position to receive a cover, a movable can holding wedge carried in said chuck for expanding said can holding jaws into gripping engagement with said can, means for moving said wedge for the described purpose, a spindle disposed in axial alignment with said can holding chuck, a cover holding chuck mounted within said spindle and having expansible cover holding jaws projecting therefrom for engaging and holding a cover against said held can, means for relatively axially moving said can and cover holding chucks to engage a cover with an end of said can, a movable cover holding wedge carried in said cover holding chuck for expanding said cover holding jaws into gripping engagement with said cover, means for moving said cover holding wedge for the described purpose, and means for partially rotating said spindle first in one direction and thereafter in the opposite direction respectively to turn said cover on and relative to said can to orient the cover locking lugs into registry with the spaces between the can locking sections, and to rotatably advance the cover locking lugs into locking engagement with the can locking sections to secure the cover to the can.

2. In a mechanism for assembling can covers having spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having spaced coopera-ting iocking sections thereon, the combination of a support for a can, a can holding chuck having a shank at'one end and having expansible can holding jaws at its opposite end for entrance into the can on said support, a chuck actuating sleeve surrounding and slidably mounted on said chuck shank, means connected to said actuating sleeve for reciprocating the latter and said chuck shank in unison 'toward and away from said support respectively to insert and withdraw said jaws into and from said can, stop means engageable by said chuck for limiting movement of the latter toward said support to locate said jaws within the can, a yieldable connection between said chuck shank and said actuating sleeve to permit relative movement therebetween when said chuck engages said stop means, a movable wedge disposed adjacent said jaws, means providing sliding movement between said wedge and said actuating sleeve for retaining said wedge in spaced relation to said jaws in unexpanded position, pressure means i'or pushing said wedge against said jaws to expand them into gripping engagement with said supported can when said actuating sleeve is moved by said reciprocating means relative to said chuck shank, means for holding a cover against said supported and gripped can, a

rotatable element connected to said cover holding means for imparting rotary oscillation to the 'latter in opposite directions, and an actuating member connected to said rotatable element for oscillating the latter and said held cover in said opposite directions respectively to relatively locate and to cooperatively engage said cover locking lugs and said can locking sections to secure the cover in place on the can.

3. A mechanism for assembling can covers having spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having spaced cooperating locking sections thereon, comprising means for holding a can in position to receive a cover, a support for a cover to be applied to said can, a rotatable spindle disposed in axial alignment with said cover support, cam actuated means for moving said spindle toward and away from said cover support and relative to said can holding means to engage said supported cover and to position it against an end of said held can, a cover holding chuck member carried by said spindle and having expansible jaws thereon for gripping a supported cover, a slip clutch member keyed to said chuck member and interposed between the latter and said spindle, a yieldable connection between said chuck member and said slip vclutch member to permit relative movement between said members to insure full seating of said jaws against said cover, a wedge disposed adjacent said jaws in spaced relation thereto, pressure means for forcing said wedge against said jaws to expand them into cover gripping position, movable stop means in said spindle for holding said wedge in inoperative position relative to said jaws, a second cam actuated means connected with said stop means and operable in time with said rst mentioned cam means to release said wedge for expanding action against said jaws by said pressure means, a spindle rotating element connected to said spindle and oscillatable in opposite directions, and actuating means connected to said spindle rotating element for oscillating said spindle and the cover holding chuck member carried thereby in said opposite directions to relatively locate said cover locking lugs and said can locking sections to secure the cover in place on the can.

d. In a mechanism for assembling can covers having peripherally spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having peripherally spaced cooperating locking sections thereon, the combination of chuck means for holding the can in position to receive a cover, a spindle disposed in axial alignment with said chuck, a cover holding chuck mounted within and having movement relative to said spindle, said cover chuck having expansible jaws projecting therefrom for engaging and holding a cover against said held can, means for relatively axially moving said can and cover holding chucks to engage a cover with an end of said can with said cover lugs disposed in indiscriminate peripherally spaced relation to said can locking sections, means carried in said cover holding chuck for expanding said jaws into gripping engagement with said cover, means ior actuating said chuck expanding means for the described purpose, and means including a pivotally mounted segment gear in continuous meshing engagement with a pinion fixed on said spindle for partially rotating said spindle a constant distance in opposite directions nrst in a reverse direction yieldably to turn said cover on and relative to said can to orient the cover locking lugs into registry with the spaces between the can locking sections, and thereafter in a 'iorward direction rotatably,r to advance the cover locking lugs into locking engagement with the can locking sections to secure the cover to the can.

5. In a mechanism for assembling can covers having peripherally spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having peripherally spaced cooperating locking sections thereon, the combination of chuck means for holding the can in position to receive a, cover, a spindle having a pinion thereon disposed in axial alignment with said chuck, a cover holding chuck mounted within and having movement relative to said spindle, said cover chuck having expansible jaws projecting therefrom for engaging and holding a cover against said held can, means for relatively axially moving said can and cover holding chucks to engage a cover with an end of said can with said cover lugs disposed in indiscriminate peripherally spaced relation to said can locking I sections, means carried in said cover holding chuck for expanding said jaws into gripping engagement with said cover, means for actuating said chuck expanding means, a pivotally mounted segment gear in continuous meshing engagement with said spindle pinion, cam actuated means for rocking said segment gear in opposite directions on its pivotal mounting to rotate said spindle rst in a reverse direction to turn said cover on and relative to said can to orient the cover locking lugs into registry with the spaces between the can locking sections, and thereafter in the opposite direction rotatably to advance the cover locking lugs a constant distance into locking engagement with the can locking sections to secure the cover to the can, and a friction clutch disposed between said spindle and said cover holding chuck to provide for rotative movement of said spindle inv said reverse direction relative to the cover chuck after the cover locking lugsV are engaged and'arrested by corresponding ends of said spaced can locking sections.

6. In a mechanism for assembling can covers having spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having peripherally spaced cooperating locking sections thereon, the combination oi chuck means for holding the can in position to receive a cover, a spindle disposed in axial alignment with said chuck, a cover holding chuck mounted within and having movement relative to said spindle, said cover chuck having expansible jaws projecting therefrom from engaging and holding a cover against said held can, cam actuated means for relatively axially moving said spindle and said can and cover holding chucks to yieldably engage a cover with an end of said can with said cover lugs disposed in indiscriminate peripherally spaced relation to said can locking sections, a reciprocable wedge member carried in said cover holding chuck for expanding said jaws into gripping engagement with said cover, means including a compression spring for actuating said wedge member for the described purpose, a pinion gear fixed on said spindle, a pivotally mounted lever having a segment gear thereon in continuous meshing engagement with said pinion gear, cam actuated means for rocking said lever on its pivot to rotate said spindle rst in a reverse direction to turn said cover on and relative to said can to orient the cover locking lugs into registry With the spaces between the can locking sections, and thereafter in the opposite direction rotatably to advance the cover locking lugs a constant distance into locking engagement with the can locking sections to secure the cover to the can, and a friction clutch disposed between said spindle and said cover holding chuck to provide for rotative movement of said spindle in said reverse direction relative to the cover chuck after the cover locking lugs are engaged and arrested by corresponding ends oi said spaced can locking sections.

7. In a mechanism for assembling countersunk can covers having peripherally spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having peripherally spaced cooperating locking sections thereon, the combination of chuck means for holding the can in position tc receive a cover, a spindle disposed in axial alignment with said chuck, a cover holding chuck mounted within and having movement relative to said spindle, said cover chuck having expansible jaws projecting therefrom for engaging and holding a cover against said held can, a cover back-up member movably mounted and normally disposed between said cover chuck and the adjacent open end of a chuck held can, cam actuated means for axially moving said cover holding chuck to engage a positioned cover and to press the same against said back-up member to position said expansible chuck jaws within the countersunk portion of said cover with said cover lugs disposed in indiscriminate peripherally spaced relation to said can locking sections, means carried in said cover holding chuck for expanding said jaws into gripping engagement with said countersunk cover, means for moving said backup member from between said can and cover to permit said cover chuck moving means to position said cover against the open end of said held can, and cam actuated means for partially rotating said spindle iirst in one direction to turn said cover on and relative to said can to orient the cover locking lugs into registry with the spaces between the can locking sections, and thereafter in the opposite direction rotatably-to4 13 advance the cover locking lugs into locking engagement with the can locking sections to secure the cover to the can.

8. In a mechanism for assembling can covers having peripherally spaced locking lugs on a countersunk panel thereof with cans having peripherally spaced cooperating locking sections on an open end thereof, the combination of chuck means for holding the can in position to receive a cover, a spindle having a pinion thereon disposed in axial alignment with said chuck, a cover holding chuck mounted within and having movement relative to said spindle, said cover chuck having expansible jaws projecting therefrom for engaging within said countersunk cover` panel and holding the cover against said open end of the held can, means for relatively axially moving said can and cover holding chucks to engage the cover with an end of said can with said cover lugs disposed in indiscriminate peripherally spaced relation to said can locking sections, means carried in said cover holding chuck for expanding said jaws into gripping engagement with said countersunk cover panel, means for actuating said chuck expanding means, a pivoted lever having a segment gear thereon in continuous meshing engagement with said pinion, means for rocking said lever on its pivotal mounting in opposite directions whereby to rotate said spindle first in one direction to turn said cover on and relative to said can to orient the cover locking lugs into registry with the spaces between the can locking sections, and thereafter in the opposite direction rotatably to advance the cover locking lugs into locking engagement with the can locking sections to secure the cover to the can, and a friction clutch disposed between said spindle and said cover holding chuck to provide for rotative movement of said spindle through said gear and pinion connection in said reverse direction relative to said cover chuck after the cover locking lugs are engaged and arrested by corresponding ends of said spaced can locking sections.

9. Mechanism for assembling can covers having peripherally spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having peripherally spaced inclined locking sections each defined by spaced projections at opposite ends thereof, comprising means for holding a can in position to receive a cover, a rotatable spindle carrying a spring pressed chuck for holding a cover spaced from an end of said can, means for relatively axially moving said spindle and can holding means to yieldably engage said cover with said can end with said cover lugs disposed in indiscriminate peripherally spaced relation to said can locking sections, a friction clutch disposed between said spindle and chuck, said clutch including a driving member having peripherally spaced pawls thereon fixed to said spindle, and a driven member having cooperating ratchet teeth thereon xedv to said chuck, said pawls being disposed in variably peripherally spaced driving relation to the peripheral spacing of said teeth, said clutch further including a spring pressed disc frictionally engaging said driving and driven members, and means for partially and constantly rotating said spindle and chuck as a unit a predetermined distance alternately in opposite directions, rotation of said spindle a constant distance in one direction providing through said clutch friction disc a variable reverse rotation through slippage of said spring pressed chuck held cover with said pawls riding freely over said teeth to insure rotative movement of said cover lugs into abutting engagement with corresponding projections at the rear ends of.

said can locking sections to thereby assemble the can and cover regardless of the random relative orientation of the can and cover, subsequent constant rotation of said spindle in the opposite direction providing through one of said variably spaced clutch pawls an immediate positive forward rotation of said cover a constant predetermined distance to insure said cover lugs frictionally riding over the corresponding projections at the forward ends of said inclined can locking sections to removably secure the cover to the can.

10. Mechanism for assembling can covers having peripherally spaced locking lugs thereon with cans having peripherally spaced inclined locking sections each dened by spaced projections at opposite ends thereof, comprising means for holding a can in position to receive a cover, a rotatable spindle carrying a spring pressed chuck for holding a cover spaced from an end of said can, cam actuated means for relatively axially moving said spindle and said can holding means to yieldably engage said cover with said can end with said cover lugs disposed in indiscriminate peripherally spaced relation to said can locking sections, a friction clutch disposed between said spindle and chuck, said clutch including a driving member having peripherally spaced pawls thereon fixed to said spindle, and a driven member having cooperating ratchet teeth thereon fixed to said chuck, said pawls being disposed in variably peripherally spaced driving relation to the peripheral spacing of said teeth, said clutch further including a spring pressed disc frictionally engaging said driving and driven members, and a pivotally mounted cam actuated lever having a segment gear thereon meshing with a pinion gear on said spindle for partially and constantly rotating said spindle and chuck as a unit a predetermined distance alternately in opposite directions, rotation of said spindle a constant distance in one direction providing through said clutch friction disc a variable reverse rotation through slippage of said spring pressed chuck held cover with said pawls riding freely over said teeth to insure rotative movement of said cover lugs into abutting engagement with corresponding projections at the rear ends of said can locking sections to thereby assemble the can and cover regardless of the random relative orientation of the can and cover, subsequent constant rotation of said spindle in the opposite direction providing through one of said variably spaced clutch pawls an immediate and positive forward rotation of said cover a constant predetermined distance to insure said cover lugs frictionally riding over the corresponding projections at the forward ends of said inclined can locking sections to removably secure the cover to the can.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 543,401 Petterson July 23, 1895 1,523,432 Kruse Jan. 20, 1925 1,773,960 Cundall Aug. 26, 1930 1,920,240 Brady Aug. 1, 1933 1,978,095 Spahn Oct. 23, 1934 2,106,365 Tiano Jan. 25, 1938 2,228,651 Buck Jan. 14, 1941 2,251,517 Goebel Aug. 5, 1941 .2,361,001 Anderson Oct. 24, 1944 

